Norman Stewart Edson was born in Montreal, Canada. He was the son of Allan Edson, R.C.A., the only Canadian artist to be honored by Queen Victoria during her reign. First he studied art in his father's studio and then went to study in Paris. He had sold landscapes to royalty. He taught art at Stanstead College in Quebec; was head of the art department of the Omaha College of Music and Fine Arts; taught classes in Vermont and Everett, WA. He was an artist, author, poet, musician, inveterate story teller and photographer. He was a commercial photographer for over thirty years and originated a system of coloring landscapes that is used throughout the world. His most famous and successful pictures are of Mount Rainier titled the "Mountain in the Sky" and "Sun's Last Glow". He had written an autobiography, three books of poetry and sold many poems to national magazines. He came to live in Burton, WA on Vashon Island by accident. He caught the wrong boat from Tacoma, WA in 1921. Once in Burton, he and his family continued to live there. In 1947 he was elected mayor of Burton as an April Fool's joke and the title stuck with him throughout the years. In 1962, he sold his studio. In January 1968 he passed away in Burton, WA.
From the description of Washington State Library's collection on Norman Stewart Edson, 1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 294967112
